Unlike last year, we now have effective tools to combat COVID-19. So please get your booster, or if you have been waiting, now is the time to get vaccinated. More updates from the Fairfax County Health Department are listed below.

Reston Community Center invites the public to the 23rd Annual Gifts from the HeART Exhibit and Holiday Gift Shopping Event, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at RCC Lake Anne. Proceeds benefit Cornerstones' work in the community, including the Embry Rucker Shelter. Learn more.

The PARC at Tysons Holiday Market, Dec. 4, 11 and 18

The PARC at Tysons is hosting a holiday market on the first three Saturdays in December, noon to 5 p.m, including a pop-up shop of local artisans and small businesses offering unique holiday-inspired goods and gifts. On Dec. 18, The PARC in Tysons will be transformed into a festive winter village, featuring a local holiday market, an iceless skating rink, and other family activities. Learn more.

Herndon WinterMarkt is a traditional European-style Christmas Market with a family focus supporting the Town of Herndon and surrounding communities. The free event on Saturday, Dec. 11, noon to 7 p.m. includes traditional German folk music and dancing, local high school and university theatrical and musical performances, and acapella groups. There will also be food and craft/gift vendors and food trucks, as well as an opportunity to get photos with Santa Claus. Learn more

Check off your holiday gift list during a visit to a Fairfax County Park Authority rec center, golf course, historic site or specialty gift shop. Your purchases support your favorite park. Learn more

Several county library branches are hosting holiday-themed used book sales in December, including Reston Regional Library. Learn more.

Visit Fairfax has put together the Made in Fairfax directory, which features a variety of products made by local artisans, including custom furniture, baked goods, jewelry and other gift ideas. It's a great way to support our small businesses. Learn more.

The Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force weekly meetings continue this month. Information on upcoming meetings is below. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. Meeting details and agendas will be found here. You can watch live streams of the meetings on YouTube Live, as well as the video archive of all past task force meetings.

The county is evaluating potential changes to the Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process (SSPA) and wants to hear from you. A community survey is open now through Friday, Dec. 10 and is an opportunity to share your thoughts and priorities for future long-range planning studies for individual sites. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Korean, and many other languages. Take the survey now.  

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Discussion will be on SE-2021-HM-009. The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use code: 2343 958 3841. For information, contact Jose Delcid, 703-478-0283. 

Each year the Fairfax County Police Department and public safety partners, including the Town of Vienna Police Department deliver toys to children in local hospitals. Donations are needed for new and unwrapped toys, games and books. You can drop off donations by Dec. 13 to any Fairfax County Police Department District station, my office at 1801 Cameron Glen Dr. in Reston, the Vienna Town Hall, 127 Center St. S, or Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE.

The county's Fire and Rescue Department is participating in the Annual National Capital Region Fire and Emergency Medical Services Departments’ 2021 Toys for Tots campaign. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any Fairfax County fire station through Sunday, Dec. 12.

The FY 2023 budget forecast was presented by Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 23, to a joint meeting of the Board of Supervisors and School Board. County Chief Financial Officer Christina Jackson told the boards that there are still many unknowns as both the county and FCPS continue to build their budget proposals. FY 2023 Budget timeline.

The Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 7 on expanding the county's Real Estate Tax Relief Program. The proposed changes include allowing people with higher incomes and net worth to qualify, adding a new 75% tax relief bracket and offering an option to defer tax payments. Learn more.

Tuesday is the last full meeting of the Board of Supervisors, with several committee meetings scheduled for Dec. 14. Additional information can be found here.

Join the Vienna Arts Society at noon on Sunday, Dec. 5 to decorate the Vienna LOVE sign on the W&OD Trail near Northside Park. The Vienna Art Society will cover the base with red plastic and fresh green garland. You and your family are invited to supply an ornament that’s meaningful to you or symbolic of your culture or background so that the fully festooned sign will represent our diverse, multi-cultural community.

Through Dec. 31, holiday shoppers who make purchases from at least five designated retailers in Vienna can enter a holiday shopping pass to win one of 100 gift cards at a drawing on Jan. 4. Learn more.

Feel the magic of the season on a mile-long drive featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations and farm animals, when Holiday Lights on the Farm returns to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. Be sure to buy tickets early as this event sold out last year. More information.

Learn more.

Fairfax County's Silver Shield Program has put together tips for older adults on how to avoid being scammed this holiday season as we are bombarded with donation requests and holiday-related offers. Learn more.

For 15 years, the Hypothermia Prevention Program has provided shelter for our most vulnerable residents during the winter months. Every winter the program serves over 1,000 individuals who are experiencing homelessness and are exposed to the harsh and dangerously cold weather. This year’s Hypothermia Prevention Program will operate now through March 31.If you see someone who is unsheltered and you think is at risk of hypothermia, please contact our non-emergency public safety phone number at 703-691-2131.For additional information, visit the Hypothermia Prevention Program website or contact the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness at 703-324-9492, TTY 711, or OPEHGeneralMail@fairfaxcounty.gov.